Lukashenko dismisses Belarusian government
MINSK. June 3 (Interfax) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has signed a decree to dismiss the government.
"The [Belarusian] president has decided to dismiss the current government. A relevant decree has been signed," the state television Belarus 1 reported.
Lukashenko held a meeting on Wednesday, on which proposals on the composition of the next government were discussed. The head of state promised that there would be no revolutionary changes in the government.
Lukashenko announced on May 25 that he was planning to put together a new government before the presidential election, which is scheduled for August 9.
"Following the incumbent president's registration as a presidential candidate, we have always announced a new government composition prior to the election," he said.
"It's a crucial issue, so that people see with whom we'll be working," Lukashenko said, adding that such a step is taken in order to enhance voter trust.
"Or what? The election has passed, people voted for you... But you're pushing your relatives, your loved ones, your family, or others into this government," he said.
Belarus's current government, led by Prime Minister Sergei Rumas, has been working since August 18, 2018, after Lukashenko dismissed Andrei Kobyakov's government, accusing it of mismanagement during the implementation of a development program for the country's Orsha district.